The importance of Leicaness in a digital world

[dave lackey]

Okay, so I am not going to be getting an M9 this year. The cost is just too high for the system. An M8 is almost possible but still out of reach.

I am happy as a clam with the M3 and the R4. A lens or two would be helpful.

So, late at night, I research. The past few weeks I have researched various compact digital cameras, starting with Leica. Then, I checked out the new offerings from Nikon. Like this:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26329/COOLPIX-P510.html

It looks like and far out-performs the V-Lux 3! At half the price.

There are other comparisons like that for the lower end price offerings as well.

IMO, going head-to-head with products like this will not be in the best interest of Leica because I, for one, will not purchase a V-Lux 3 when the P510 is available....not that I even like these products but I can see where others would. A DSLR is more useful for me where they excell in areas that the M-bodies are not meant to go...😉 I can only wish for the now-abandoned R10.

Therefore, the M9 and later iterations remain and should retain the elusive quality known as "Leicaness". Hopefully, Leica doesn't fall into the bells and whistles trap.

 

[flyalf]

Hi dave,

I would recommend another option; to purchase one of the new mirroless with a APS-C size sensor plus adapter to use your Leica M glass. The NEX-5n is not that expensive.

Having said that the NEX its not a M replacement.

 

[dave lackey]

Hi dave,

I would recommend another option; to purchase one of the new mirroless with a APS-C size sensor plus adapter to use your Leica M glass. The NEX-5n is not that expensive.

Having said that the NEX its not a M replacement.

Yes, I know a lot of people here like NEX, and all the others, including Nikon products which I have used since 1971.

I do not for a lot of reasons. :angel:

I will wait for an M9 but in the meantime I expect to expand my R system as I have a "film for life" program and will slowly move into developing/scanning here at my home office.

 

[BobYIL]

+1 for the Nex-5N.. 5N, not 5, and you can use your existing lenses on it with great results up to ISO3200.

 

[f6andBthere]

To me digital Leicaness resides in the M9 and nothing else ... it's unique and nothing can replace it. Anything else is just another digital camera!

I can't believe I just said that! 😱

😀

 

[dave lackey]

To me digital Leicaness resides in the M9 and nothing else ... it's unique and nothing can replace it. Anything else is just another digital camera!

I can't believe I just said that! 😱

😀

Exactly what I tried to say in more words...😀

 

[jsrockit]

The M9 is unique. However, the Fujis are quite nice as well. I'm glad to see a lower priced option than Leica.

 

[dave lackey]

The M9 is unique. However, the Fujis are quite nice as well. I'm glad to see a lower priced option than Leica.

Ah, yes, another confirmation of why Leica must remain unique and avoid the copycat digital world.🙂

 

[jsrockit]

Ah, yes, another confirmation of why Leica must remain unique and avoid the copycat digital world.🙂

If Leica goes the copy cat route and lowers its prices to compete, it won't last too long as a company. The #1 thing it has going for it as a company is its luxury cache and its legacy.

 

[dave lackey]

If Leica goes the copy cat route and lowers its prices to compete, it won't last too long as a company. The #1 think it has going for it as a company is its luxury cache and its legacy.

Amen...they have turned their financial world around with the M9 and their lenses in the past few years. I would prefer to see less of the Panasonic products and MORE of the Leica way of doing things. The S2 is designed as a simple DSLR, albeit as expensive as any Hassy system. The whole design philosophy is similar to the original Leica design philosophy, hence the "Leicaness".

Cheaper digi cams are fine. But, I will not wait for the trickle-down of used cameras much less buy a NEW copycat even if I LIKED small sensors and plastic blobs.

 

[Reddot9]

To me there is something "throw-away" about the plethora of point and shoot cameras, be they micro 4/3 or just the latest iteration of point and shoots from Nikon, Olympus, Fuji and yes, even Leica. I think they are "fickle". They evolve rapidly. Almost obsolete when they are introduced. Kind of like American cars. They keep changing. They don't evolve to a significant degree but new models are always in the pipeline.

That being said, many point and shoot cameras are excellent performers resulting in high image quality...but...

My M6 is essentially timeless (to me) as is the M3 to many others. M's have heritage and a history. The M line evolves slowly. My M6 always works, and my Leica lenses are excellent. We can never forget about those beautiful pieces of glass and metal. They produce beautifully rendered images on film as well as digitally from my M9.

Will the M9 be a "timeless" piece of kit? Well, only time will tell.

 

[jsrockit]

Will the M9 be a "timeless" piece of kit? Well, only time will tell.

I think certain digital cameras will be desirable many years from now... some based on design, some based on preceived image attributes. I can see younger people discovering the lo-fi-ness of "vintage" sensors, etc. It happens with everything else, digital cameras will not be immune.

 

[f6andBthere]

I think certain digital cameras will be desirable many years from now... some based on design, some based on preceived image attributes. I can see younger people discovering the lo-fi-ness of "vintage" sensors, etc. It happens with everything else, digital cameras will not be immune.

Welll 'noise' is fast becoming a thing of the past below 6400 so that may be the hook that gets them in.

Lomo will be watching and waiting!

 

[Corto]

Okay, so I am not going to be getting an M9 this year. The cost is just too high for the system. An M8 is almost possible but still out of reach.

I am happy as a clam with the M3 and the R4. A lens or two would be helpful.

So, late at night, I research. The past few weeks I have researched various compact digital cameras, starting with Leica. Then, I checked out the new offerings from Nikon. Like this:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26329/COOLPIX-P510.html

It looks like and far out-performs the V-Lux 3! At half the price.

There are other comparisons like that for the lower end price offerings as well.

IMO, going head-to-head with products like this will not be in the best interest of Leica because I, for one, will not purchase a V-Lux 3 when the P510 is available....not that I even like these products but I can see where others would. A DSLR is more useful for me where they excell in areas that the M-bodies are not meant to go...😉 I can only wish for the now-abandoned R10.

Therefore, the M9 and later iterations remain and should retain the elusive quality known as "Leicaness". Hopefully, Leica doesn't fall into the bells and whistles trap.

Dave, I agree with you.

I will most likely buy the P510.

I have a "Ancient" Nikon 995.

Over the years it has done everything I asked from it.
Still works great.

But for the overall use of a "Family" camera the p510 will also replace a aging videocamera I have so for me it makes sense.

I have no doubt the P510 will do everything it promises with the usual Nikon quality and user friendliness. Will work great for the wife and kids as well.

And I bet it takes great pictures too.